Many will have seen, enjoyed and applauded Oprah Winfrey’s speech at last week’s Golden Globes, but what are some of the elements that made it so powerful?
Many will have seen, enjoyed and applauded Oprah Winfrey’s speech at last week’s Golden Globes, but what are some of the elements that made it so powerful?
This is what is possible in a couple of minutes.
First things to notice in this conclusion is the use of voice: slower tempo, variations in volume, enunciation (the way words are pronounced and syllables emphasised.
Then the body language: the audience is now his own colleagues. He turns and faces them, the wagging finger at the same time emphasising and admonishing. He looks down to check notes but the messages and head are up for delivery.
He draws on a biblical source (the good samaritan) for his analogy and calls for colleagues to show a sense of (christian?) duty.
Repetition: count the number of uses of the word “contempt”.
Voice – volume: “What we know about fascists is that they need to be defeated” (almost a whisper).
And then the finale building to his statement of support for the motion encouraging his colleagues to do the same.